Club 80-90 Forums

Hi, hoping for some advice to save a trip to the garage. I have a 1.6td JX engine. The van always starts however takes about 20-30seconds of cranking to actually start. Once it’s run for a while the van starts no issues. I’ve had the battery checked and changed the glow plugs. What else should I be doing? Earth? Relay? Any advice greatly appreciated.

How long are you letting the glow plug light stay on for before cranking ?

Thanks for the reply, Till the light on the dash goes out usually. I have tried warming them multiple times before cranking but no real improvement.

How long does the light stay on ?

I can time it properly if needed but estimated 5 seconds? Seems too quick for an old diesel?

Could be air leaking into the fuel system causing the fuel to let back into the tank

Could be air leaking into the fuel system causing the fuel to let back into the tank

The dash light is only an indicator that circuit is live, it's not confirmation that the circuit is working correctly. Have you checked (simple test light) that the glow plugs are getting power? If they're not, check the 50A fuse in the engine bay box, remove it to check it as they can hairline crack but look ok in situ. Failing that maybe a faulty relay, you should hear it click in and out.

If the glow plugs are working then I'd suggest a fuel issue, start checking all hoses (including the leak off pipes between injectors) for signs of dampness/deterioration that maybe letting air in

That’s very quick, mine stay on for 30 or more, mine cranks for 10 seconds if I don’t leave them that long, maybe your relay has been replaced or the temperature sensor is faulty

Fuel draining back is the favourite - if it were the glow plugs there would be (hopefully) a report of white smoke when it actually starts. The glow plugs are on for longer than just the period that the light is on to aid the cold running at start. An air leak at the pump or fuel line is a common cause of draining back.
Is the cold start being applied? If not try it - if it is then easier starting it could be the timing but timing doesn't normally go out of spec. on its own on a diesel without meddling.
Don't forget that you can have quick glow plugs and normal ones. Quick ones draw 12A each and normal ones 9A. Different relays are used for each - quick glow ones have red lettering on and normal ones have white.

Cheers for all the replies, I'll have a look at all the above and report back with any findings/success (fingers crossed). There is a small amount of white smoke when the van starts but clears within seconds, I assumed that was an old diesel thing?

I had fuel drain on my last van due to the injector leak off pipes. When sorted I also put a bulb pump between the fuel filter and pump so diesel wouldn't drain back all that far.

Hey, your problem is almost certainly caused by the fuel filter (right hand back of the bulkhead in the engine compartment). It has a one-way valve in it that prevents the fuel draining back to the tank.

I had exactly the same symptoms, replaced filter (from Brickwerks) and the problem was fixed. Hope this helps. (there are at least two types of filter, make sure you get the same one as you currently have)

I think I would make sure the glow plugs are doing what they are supposed to for as long as they are supposed to as a first step. simple test light should do it, my glow light stays on 30 seconds and engine fires immediately.

You shouldn't be needing 30 secs in these mild temps. No sign of glow plugs not working - no report of copious grey smoke at start up. Only slight which is normal.